Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 42
Vibhūti-yoga in the Bhāgavata: The Lord’s Manifest Opulences and the Discipline of Control
वाचं यच्छ मनो यच्छ प्राणान् यच्छेन्द्रियाणि च । आत्मानमात्मना यच्छ न भूय: कल्पसेऽध्वने ॥ ४२ ॥
vācaṁ yaccha mano yaccha prāṇān yacchedriyāṇi ca ātmānam ātmanā yaccha na bhūyaḥ kalpase ’dhvane
Ainsi, maîtrise ta parole, dompte le mental, conquiers le prāṇa et règle les sens; puis, par une intelligence purifiée, soumets tes facultés—de cette manière tu ne retomberas plus sur la voie de l’existence matérielle.
One should see all things as expansions of the Supreme Lord’s potency, and thus with speech, mind and senses one should offer respect to all things, without minimizing any living entity or material object. Since everything belongs to the Lord, everything ultimately should be engaged in the Lord’s service with great care. A self-realized devotee tolerates personal insult and does not become envious of any living entity, nor does he see anyone as his enemy. This is practical enlightenment. Although a pure devotee may criticize those who obstruct the Lord’s mission, such criticism is never personally motivated nor is it ever based on enviousness. An advanced devotee of the Lord may chastise his followers or criticize the demoniac, but only to carry out the mission of the Supreme Lord and never out of personal enmity or enviousness. For one who completely gives up the material concept of life there is no possibility of entering again onto the path of birth and death.
FAQs
This verse teaches a step-by-step restraint of speech, mind, prāṇa, and the senses, culminating in using one’s higher self (steady intelligence) to master the lower self—thereby ending further wandering in saṁsāra.
Kṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava in practical sādhana for liberation: inner discipline and mastery over speech, mind, breath, and senses are presented as essential to become free from repeated material existence.
Practice mindful speech, daily mental restraint (meditation/japa), regulated breathing, and conscious sense-discipline (diet, media, habits); use clear discrimination to redirect impulses toward devotion and spiritual goals.